Chuck-will's-widow

Antrostomus carolinensis (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis, is a nightjar that breeds in eastern USA and spends the nonbreeding season in Middle America and South America. It is found in the southeastern United States, with separate populations on Long Island, New York, in Ontario, Canada, and on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it occurs near swamps, rocky uplands and pine woods. It is the largest nightjar in North America. The bird has a short bill and a long tail, and males show white on the outer tail feathers. Its name comes from its song, which is often heard at night.

Order

Caprimulgiformes

Family

Caprimulgidae — Nightjars

Breeding range

North America: e USA

Nonbreeding range

Middle America, South America